Grizzly Gears: A Timberdoodle Game Review

Can you get the little bear to his mom, the girl to her tent, or the rabbit to the other rabbit? What about a combination of multiple figures needing to be moved to the right spot? Grizzly Gears has a challenge for everyone!

What is Grizzly Gears?

The game includes a small game board that holds multiple tree pieces, has several figures (bear, tent, wood pile, etc) in fixed positions on the board, and six loose pieces that coordinate with the ones in fixed positions.

For example, Mama Bear is in a fixed position on the board, and there is a baby bear piece; the tent is in a fixed position, and there is a little girl piece that coordinates with it.

The set also includes a puzzle book with instructions, 80 different challenges, and an answer key.

The goal of the game is to get the pieces that are at play in each puzzle challenge to the right spots.

How Do You Play Grizzly Gears?

To begin playing, you open the book and choose which puzzle challenge you would like to complete. There are different levels, and I suggest starting out with the starter level, at least until you get a feel for how the game works.

Levels:

Starter
Junior
Expert
Master

Next, you set up the board based on the challenge that you chose. Each challenge includes a picture showing which trees go in which positions and which loose pieces are included. Then you have to get the loose pieces to their correct spots.

To get them to the correct spots, you have to twist the trees, which work like gears and move the other trees and the loose pieces. You have to find the right combination of moves to get all the pieces where they need to be.

In the easier challenges, you are only moving one loose piece, but later challenges include more pieces.

There is an answer key in the back of the challenge book in case you get stuck; it shows how to solve the problem in the fewest moves.

Our Experience with Grizzly Gears

We broke out this game for the first time during a game night where my husband and I helped our three youngest boys (ages 12, 8, and 2) play different independent games.

My eight-year-old was the first one to try it out, and once he got the hang of it, he loved it. I highly recommend having an adult help explain the game and set it up the first time, as it can be a little confusing at first. However, once you get a feel for how it works, students can do it independently.

My son worked with his dad on several of the challenges, and it was a great way for them to spend quality time together and for his dad to help him work through the problem-solving aspects. He even got to enjoy a cupcake while he worked, so it was a fun and memorable time.

Once he got the hang of a few of the easier levels, he was excited to move up to the next level and try moving more than one piece.

My twelve-year-old also took a turn and found it fun. While the two-year-old did not understand the game (understandably), he had a lot of fun turning the gears and helping out his eight-year-old brother one evening while I was cooking dinner.

The game helps develop problem-solving, visual skills, and logic. My children didn’t see it as an educational game, but it was great brain work. We plan to add it to our Friday game time rotations.

Who Would Enjoy Grizzly Gears?

This is a game many ages can enjoy, especially with the different-level puzzles. It is recommended for ages 7+, and I think that is fairly accurate. A younger child could certainly try and might be able to do the easier challenges, but some of them are quite difficult.

It is a quiet and quick game, great for giving children something to do independently for a few minutes. With all the different tasks, you could spend as few as five minutes playing or spend an hour or more doing multiple tasks.

Add it to your game night rotation, use it as a quiet activity between school subjects, use it as an independent activity while you cook dinner, or use it any time you want a fun, brain-stimulating activity.

Overall Thoughts

Grizzly Gears from Timberdoodle is a fun, easy game for building visual skills, strategy, and logic without it feeling like work. It is a quick, low-stress, low-prep game that people of all ages can play and enjoy. The various levels allow students to be challenged without it being too hard or frustrating. You can find out more and get your game at Timberdoodle.

FAQs

What ages is this game for?

The company recommends ages 7+, and I would say any age from elementary school through adulthood.

How Many Players?

This is a single-player game, though you can take turns if multiple people want to play.

Does the game require reading?

Other than someone reading the instructions, this game does not require reading.

Fischertechnik Junior Max: A Timberdoodle Review

We love building toys of any kind in our house; my boys will build with wooden planks, Legos, magnetic tiles, and more. However, Fischertechnik Junior Max from Timberdoodle is more than a building toy; it is a chance to learn basic engineering concepts through play.

What is Fischertechnik Junior Max?

This fun, hands-on building kit lets children use the same components to build multiple projects. More than just blocks that click together, these pieces slide in and connect in different ways and include wheels that turn, etc.

The kit includes about 90 components that can be put together in a variety of ways. Students can use the included manual to make 8 different models.

How Do You Use Fischertechnik Junior Max?

Students begin by following the step-by-step instructions to build whichever model they choose. They can build the models in any order that they choose. Once they have tried some or all of those, students can use their imagination and come up with their own projects to build.

The pieces slide into place and stay securely. The wheels move and move the components, just like in real simple machines.

**The box shows all of the fun projects included in the kit.**

Our Experience with Fischertechnik Junior Max

My eight-year-old was excited to try these. He loves building, machines, and anything hands-on. We looked over the instructions together, but then he completed the projects independently.

We loved that the projects could be completed in just a few minutes, and the instructions were fairly easy to follow. They use colored instructions that gray out the pieces you’ve already put together, making it easier for the student to see each new step. This also allows even non-readers to work on the projects independently.

The components fit together easily and were not too challenging for young hands; the sliding mechanisms made things fit securely without a lot of pressure or strength required.

Once he had done a few projects, he was excited to play with the different components and put them together to make his own creations. My two-year-old enjoyed playing with the “machines” that his brother created, but he is too young to really build anything with the kit.

Who Would Enjoy Fischertechnik Junior Max?

I recommend this kit for children ages 5-8, or possibly as young as four with adult assistance. It is especially great for those who enjoy building things or are interested in different machines and equipment. They can build the projects and then play with the machines they have built. Unlike many other kits, the wheels actually turn and the parts move, which makes them more fun for play after the build.

The parts were easy for small hands to work with.

Overall Thoughts

We really enjoyed this kit. The age range is fairly narrow (they do have other, more complex kits for older students), but it is a perfect introduction for younger students. It encourages creativity, imagination, and fine motor skills. You can find out more and get your set at Timberdoodle, where you can also see other Fischertechnik sets.

Note how the color contrast and graying help students see which steps need to be completed.

FAQs

What ages is this set for?

Recommended for ages 5+. I would recommend it for ages 5-8, possibly 4 with assistance.

What skills does this set teach?

Problem-solving, fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and basic engineering concepts

Does the set require reading?

No, the instructions are illustration based and can be followed by non-readers.

Early Bird: A Timberdoodle Game Review

Early Bird from Timberdoodle is a fun, fast-paced game that involves a deck of specialized cards and a squishy worm.

While the concept is simple, the game provides hours of fun and learning for a wide variety of ages.

What is Early Bird?

The box says it is a “soarin’ game of fast flying worm madness.” This game reminds me of a mix of UNO and Dutch Blitz, with some fun, silly challenges added to the mix.

It is a game where you have to discard your cards by adding them to a pile in numerical order. The order can go up or down at the discretion of the person who called the play. It is a game of speed and strategy.

How Do You Play Early Bird?

Each player is given 7 cards; the cards are a mix of numerical cards 1-8 and special challenge cards. The person who does the best impression of a worm gets to start the game by discarding one card and determining the direction of play (up or down).

Unlike many card games, you do not take turns; anyone can lay down the next card as long as it is in order, and the goal is to be out of cards first.

Just when you think you have a plan, someone throws a challenge card into the mix and changes everything up!

There are funny challenge cards in the mix, and they can be played at any time. Some have you chasing the foam worm, spinning in a circle, or building a birdhouse from cards.

Each round takes as little as five minutes, and the game recommends playing 5 rounds to determine the winner. However, you can easily do more or less depending on your time constraints.

Our Experience with Early Bird

Our first experience with Early Bird was my husband, my eight-year-old, and me. While getting out of my chair for some of the challenges was not overly appealing (I mean, who doesn’t relish the opportunity to stay seated for a few minutes in a busy day), the game was honestly a lot of fun.

We were figuring it all out during the first round, and then the rounds went quickly and smoothly. My son loved it and appreciated that during one challenge when you had to stand up and spin around, he always won because the adults were not nearly as motivated.

He loves having a game his sister will play with him!

My son loved it so much that he started begging other family members to play, and my twelve-year-old son and eighteen-year-old daughter enjoyed it as well.

More than playing, I enjoyed watching them all spend time together laughing and enjoying a good game.

“It is a fun fast pace game for the whole family. Super easy to learn and lots of fun to play.” Elizabeth, age 18

Who Would Enjoy Early Bird?

This game is great for anyone old enough to recognize their numbers and count them in order. I think it would work well for helping younger students improve their number recognition as well.

Due to the active nature of several of the challenges, participants do need to be able to physically move around to retrieve the worm, switch seats, or spin around. However, if you have someone with physical limitations, you can adapt the challenges.

Aside from physical limitations or children who are still getting comfortable with their numbers, the nature of the game creates an even playing field across ages and skill levels, which helps make a family game feel more “fair” for younger children when playing with adults or teens.

Overall Thoughts

Our family enjoyed this fast-paced game. The speed and ease of play are a bonus, and the challenges add a lot of laughter and surprise. We think it is a great family game for multiple ages.

While this might not be a school-time staple, I do think it is great for a family game night, a rainy afternoon, or a nice break between chores.

You can find out more and purchase your copy of the game at Timberdoodle.

FAQs

What ages is this game for?

Recommended for ages 7+; any child who can count and recognizes numbers could play.

How Many Players?

2-6 Players

Does the game require reading?

While someone needs to initially be able to read the instructions, the game can easily be played by players who are not yet reading.

Counting Sheep Without Falling Asleep: A Timberdoodle Review

Sometimes the simplest activities are the best activities. Counting Sheep Without Falling Asleep from Timberdoodle is a simple logic game that includes a book of puzzle tasks, a small game board, and eight transparent puzzle pieces featuring sheep and a shed.

While the concept is simple, the game provides hours of fun and learning for a wide variety of ages.

What is Counting Sheep Without Falling Asleep

The game includes a small game board that is laid out with green squares for the grass and blue for the water. Then there are seven transparent puzzle pieces in different shapes, each with small white or gray sheep on it. Additionally, there is a small transparent piece with a shed on it.

The game board has a cover, so you can easily store the pieces. There is also a small book with 60 different challenges, divided into different levels of complexity. There are five levels, ordered and marked by color on the page, so even non-readers can easily find the right level.

Levels:

Starter
Junior
Expert
Master
Wizard

How Do You Play Counting Sheep Without Falling Asleep?

Counting Sheep Without Falling Asleep is simple and easy to understand. However, while the concept is simple, the varying levels of challenge mean that it can provide a fun mental challenge even for adults. It is a one-player game (which is really convenient when you have a child who is “bored” and needs something to do).

Simply pick a challenge of your choice, then make the puzzle pieces fit while avoiding sheep in the water and ensuring they fit as shown in the challenge. For example, the challenge might show you where a few pieces belong, and then you have to fit the rest without overlapping.

There is an answer key at the back of the challenge book in case you get stuck, or your child wants to check and make sure they are correct.

Our Experience with Counting Sheep Without Falling Asleep

While the two-year-old thought the sheep were fun to play with, this game was best for my eight-year-old son and older. Even the beginning levels are a bit more challenging than some of the other similar-style games they have tried.

It worked really well for both my eight- and twelve-year-olds, and the adults enjoyed the challenge as well.

As a mom, I love how it doesn’t have to take hours to play, but they can play it for hours if they have the time. I also appreciated that the different levels meant everyone could work to their own abilities. I also really appreciated that the lidded game board made it easier to keep all of the pieces together.

While I love playing games with my children, the independent nature of this game means it works well when I’m cooking dinner or otherwise occupied. I think it would be great for them to play during school while I was working with a different child.

The game helps develop problem-solving, visual skills, and logic. My children did not see it as an educational game, but it was great work for their brains.

Who Would Enjoy Counting Sheep Without Falling Asleep?

This is a game that many ages can enjoy, especially with the different level puzzles. It is recommended for ages 7+, and I think that is fairly accurate. A younger child could certainly try and might be able to do the easier challenges, but some of them are quite difficult.

It is a quiet and quick game, great for giving children something to do independently for a few minutes. The cover on the game board makes it very portable, and it could even be used in the car.

With all the different tasks, you could spend as few as five minutes playing or spend an hour or more doing multiple tasks.

Overall Thoughts

Counting Sheep Without Falling Asleep from Timberdoodle is a fun, easy game that helps build visual skills and logic without feeling like work. It can be played and enjoyed by a variety of ages. You can find out more and get your set at Timberdoodle.

FAQs

What ages is this game for?

Any age from elementary school through adulthood.

How Many Players?

This is a single-player game, though you can take turns if multiple people want to play.

Bao’s Cloudland: A Timberdoodle Review

Sometimes the simplest activities are the best activities. Bao’s Cloudland from Timberdoodle is a simple logic game that involves one book of puzzle tasks and 12 wooden animals.

While the concept is simple, it provided hours of fun and learning for a wide variety of ages in our home.

What is Bao’s Cloudland?

The game includes 12 colorful wooden figures, two of each kind: sheep, cow, cat, goat, geese, and pig. There is also a spiral-bound book with 60 different puzzle tasks, divided into different levels of complexity. These levels are ordered and marked by the color on the page, so it is easy for even non-readers to find the right level.

How Do You Play Bao’s Cloudland?

Bao’s Cloudland is simple and easy to understand. It is a one-player game (which is really convenient when you have a child who is “bored” and needs something to do). You simply pick the puzzle task of your choice, and then try to fill in the outline on the page with the correct animals to complete the puzzle.

There is a separate answer key book in case you get stuck, or your child wants to check and make sure that they are correct.

Our Experience with Bao’s Cloudland

When we requested Bao’s Cloudland, I had my eight- and twelve-year-old sons in mind. However, I also have a two-year-old who loves animals and wanted to play with it as well. All three of them enjoyed the game.

I was expecting the two-year-old to just play with the wooden animals, but he was actually able to complete several of the easiest puzzles successfully. He could do a few independently, and for some of the others, he could pick out the right animals but needed help getting them positioned correctly within the outline.

The older boys could work in any of the levels, and while they quickly realized the easiest level was a bit too easy, they enjoyed the other two levels. I even took a few turns with them and found it to be an enjoyable way to stretch my mind.

We were actually on vacation at the river when we first tried the game, and even there they were happy to play while they took a break from the sun or in the evenings after dinner.

They were working on strategy, visual skills, and logic. However, they did not see it as an educational game, but it was great work for their brains.

Who Would Enjoy Bao’s Cloudland?

He says, “The green level is easy peasy.”

Honestly, I think this is a game that all ages can enjoy, especially with the different level puzzles. It is recommended for ages 3+, but as we saw with my toddler, even some two-year-olds could enjoy it. Often, when a game is rated for ages that young, we think it wouldn’t be of interest to older children or adults, but I think the whole family could enjoy this game.

Overall Thoughts

Bao’s Cloudland from Timberdoodle is a fun and easy game to work on visual skills and logic without it feeling like work. It can be played and enjoyed by the whole family. You can find out more and get your copy at Timberdoodle.

FAQs

What ages is this game for?

Any age from toddler to adult.

How Many Players?

This is a single-player game, though you can take turns if multiple people want to play.

Floats McGoats: A Timberdoodle Family Friendly Strategy Game Review

With children ranging in age from 2 to 19, it can be challenging to find games everyone can enjoy. The age range for Floats McGoats from Timberdoodle was pretty wide, and so I was excited to give it a try.

What is Floats McGoats?

The backstory: A boat full of goats has capsized, and you must save your goats by getting them safely on a raft. Each player (2-4 players) has both adult and baby goats in a specific color. Players add boards to the raft to secure their goats. Each goat has to be surrounded on all three sides. During their turns, players roll the dice to determine if they are moving boards on the board, moving goats, adding new goats, or adding new boards.

Players have to use strategy to get enough of their goats onto the board and safely secure them on the raft. There is some luck involved in the dice roll, but the winner is often determined through strategy and logic.

Our Experiences with Floats McGoats

The boys were automatically excited to try it just because of the “funny name”. It took me a few minutes to read the instructions to understand what needed to happen, and then I explained it to my seven-year-old and my eleven-year-old. Within the first few minutes of play, they had the hang of the game and were enjoying themselves.

We took the game in our camper on a recent trip, and they played multiple rounds each day. Throughout the weekend, they played with my husband, my eighteen-year-old daughter, my nineteen-year-old son, and myself. While the two-year-old cannot really play Floats McGoats (though he did enjoy trying to steal the goats while everyone else played), everyone else enjoyed the game.

What We Loved:

A Game For Multiple Ages
Quick Rounds
Teaches Logic and Strategy
Fun and Educational

Our Recommendations

Overall, Floats McGoats was a great game. With busy lives and active boys, games that last for hours really do not work for our family. However, each round of this game took us only 10 to 15 minutes, which was awesome. If you have more time, you can play multiple rounds, and as players learn more, strategy games may take a little bit longer.

The recommended age was 10+, but my seven-year-old had no problems learning how to play. With a little parental support at the beginning, I think most elementary school students could learn to play, and it is also enjoyable for teens and adults.

Some educational games feel like education made into a game. However, Floats McGoats feels like a game that happens to be educational. My boys never realized they were learning strategy and logic.

I would recommend it to any family looking for a fun game to enjoy together, or to parents who want a way to encourage their children to work on logic and strategy. Visit Timberdodle to find out more and purchase your game.